Real-Life Spider-Man Scales Building in Paris To Rescue Dangling Child

posted by RJ Johnson - @rickerthewriter -

May 29, 2018

An immigrant from Mali is being hailed as a hero for his daring efforts to save the life of a child who was dangling from a fourth-floor balcony on Saturday.

Video footage taken by witnesses show Mamoudou Gassama scaling up the side of a building in Paris, France, as he attempted to reach and rescue a 4-year-old child that was hanging on to the side of a balcony.

Gassama can be seen reaching the child in less than thirty seconds, as he pulls the toddler up and over the railing, back to safety.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo called the 22-year-old hero the "Spider-Man of the 18th" because the rescue took place in the city's 18th district.

“He explained to me that he had arrived from Mali a few months ago, dreaming of building his life here,” Hidalgo told The Guardian. “I told him that his heroic act is an example to all citizens and that the city of Paris will obviously be very keen to support him in his efforts to settle in France.”

Gassama met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, who awarded him a medal, and said the 22-year-old hero would become a naturalized citizen according to the BBC.

The child was supposed to be supervised by his father while his mother is residing outside Paris. The father, who was not home during the time of the incident, faces up to two years in prison for child endangerment CNN reports.